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{{Short description|Air-officer rank}}
{{about|the air force rank|the United States federal law-enforcement agents who travel undercover aboard commercial airliners as [[sky marshals]]|Federal Air Marshal Service|information on air-force officers at the rank of marshal|Marshal of the Air Force}}
{{for multi|law enforcement officers who travel covertly on commercial airline flights|Sky marshal|and|Federal Air Marshal Service|the form of airport signalling|Aircraft marshalling}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{refimprove|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox military rank
| name = Air marshal
| image = UK-Air-OF8-Flag.svg
| image_size = 150px
| caption = An RAF air marshal's command flag
| image2 = United Kingdom-Air force-OF-8-collected.svg
| image_size2 = 100px
| caption2 = Shoulder and sleeve insignia from the [[Royal Air Force]]
| image3 = File:Air Marshal star plate.svg
| image_size3 = 100px
| caption3 = A RAF Air Marshal star plate
| country =
| service branch = [[Air force]]s
| abbreviation = Air Mshl / AM
| rank = [[Three-star rank|Three-star]]
| NATO rank = [[Ranks and insignia of NATO armies officers#Officers (OF 1–10)|OF-8]]
| Non-NATO rank = [[Three-star rank|O-9]]

| formation = {{start date|1919|08|01|df=y}} ([[Royal Air Force|RAF]])
| abolished =
| higher rank = [[Air chief marshal]]
| lower rank = [[Air vice-marshal]]
| equivalents = {{unbulleted list|{{nowrap|[[Lieutenant-general]] ([[British Army]]; [[Royal Marines]])}}|[[Vice-admiral (Royal Navy)|Vice-admiral]] ([[Royal Navy|RN]])}}
| history =
}}
{{Military ranks | state=expanded}}
{{Military ranks | state=expanded}}
'''Air marshal''' ('''Air Mshl''' or '''AM''') is a [[three-star rank|three-star]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080413024542/http://www.rafweb.org/Glossary.htm|title=Glossary|access-date=21 March 2008|website=Air of Authority}}</ref> [[air officer|air-officer]] rank which originated and it is used by the [[Royal Air Force]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/structure/commissionedranks.cfm |title=Ranks and Badges of the Royal Air Force|year=2007 |publisher=[[Royal Air Force]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113155837/http://www.raf.mod.uk/structure/commissionedranks.cfm |archive-date=13 November 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence, including the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]], and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure.


'''Air marshal''' ('''Air Mshl''' or '''AM''') is an [[air officer|air-officer]] rank used by some air forces, with origins from the [[Royal Air Force]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/structure/commissionedranks.cfm |title=Ranks and Badges of the Royal Air Force |year=2007 |publisher=[[Royal Air Force]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113155837/http://www.raf.mod.uk/structure/commissionedranks.cfm |archive-date=13 November 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The rank is used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence, including many [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth nations]]. The rank is usually equivalent to a [[vice admiral]] or a [[lieutenant general]].
<!--PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE NATO OF CODES. THEY GO FROM 1 TO 10 AND ARE NOT THE SAME AS UNITED STATES O CODES WHICH RANK FROM 1 TO 11. OF-1 COVERS BOTH O-1 AND O-2-->
Air marshal is a three-star rank and has a [[NATO]] ranking code of OF-8, equivalent to a [[vice admiral (Royal Navy)|vice-admiral]] in the [[Royal Navy]] or a [[lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|lieutenant-general]] in the [[British Army]] or the [[Royal Marines]]. In other NATO forces, such as the [[United States Armed Forces]] and the [[Canadian Armed Forces]], the equivalent three-star rank is [[Lieutenant general (United States)|lieutenant general]].


Air marshal is immediately senior to the rank of [[air vice-marshal]] and immediately subordinate to the rank of [[air chief marshal]]. Officers in the rank of air marshal typically hold very senior appointments such as [[commander-in-chief]] of an air force or a large air force formation. Officers in the ranks of air chief marshal and air vice-marshal are also referred to generically as air marshals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.debretts.com/forms-address/professions/armed-forces/royal-air-force/air-chief-marshal-air-marshal-and-air-vice |title=Forms of Address: Air Chief Marshal, Air Marshal and Air Vice-Marshal |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Debrett's |access-date=4 December 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119043809/http://www.debretts.com/forms-address/professions/armed-forces/royal-air-force/air-chief-marshal-air-marshal-and-air-vice |archive-date=19 November 2015}}</ref> Occasionally, air force officers of [[Marshal of the air force|marshal rank]] are considered to be air marshals.
The rank of air marshal is immediately senior to the rank of [[air vice-marshal]] and immediately subordinate to the rank of [[air chief marshal]].


== Australia ==
Officers in the rank of air marshal typically hold very senior appointments such as [[commander-in-chief]] of an air force or a large air force formation. Officers in the ranks of air chief marshal and air vice-marshal are also referred to generically as air marshals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.debretts.com/forms-address/professions/armed-forces/royal-air-force/air-chief-marshal-air-marshal-and-air-vice |title=Forms of Address: Air Chief Marshal, Air Marshal and Air Vice-Marshal |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Debrett's |access-date=4 December 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119043809/http://www.debretts.com/forms-address/professions/armed-forces/royal-air-force/air-chief-marshal-air-marshal-and-air-vice |archive-date=19 November 2015 }}</ref> Occasionally, air force officers of [[Marshal of the air force|marshal rank]] are considered to be air marshals.
{{main|Air marshal (Australia)}}
{{see also|List of Royal Australian Air Force air marshals}}
The [[Australian Air Corps]] adopted the RAF rank system on 9 November 1920<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1070474--1-.pdf |title=Chapter 1: Formation of the Royal Australian Air Force |author=Gillison, Douglas Napier |work=Royal Australian Air Force, 1939–1942 |volume=1 |edition=1st |year=1962 |format=digitised book |publisher=[[Australian War Memorial]] |pages=5–6}}</ref> and this usage was continued by its successor, the [[Royal Australian Air Force]]. However, the rank of air marshal was not used by the Australian Armed Forces until 1940 when [[Richard Williams (RAAF officer)|Richard Williams]], an RAAF officer, was promoted.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1070724--1-.pdf |title=Chapter 5: The New Command |author=Gillison, Douglas Napier |work=Royal Australian Air Force, 1939–1942 |volume=1 |edition=1st |year=1962 |format=digitised book |publisher=[[Australian War Memorial]] |pages=92–93}}</ref>


In Australia, there are four appointments available for air marshals: the [[Chief of Air Force (Australia)|Chief of Air Force]] and, at times when they are occupied by an air force officer, the [[Vice Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)|Vice Chief of Defence Force]], the [[Chief of Joint Operations (Australia)|Chief of Joint Operations]], and the [[Chief of Capability Development Group]].
==Royal Air Force use and history==


===Origins===
== Canada ==
The [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] (RCAF) used the rank until the 1968 unification of the [[Canadian Forces]], when army-type rank titles were adopted and an air marshal became a [[Lieutenant-General (Canada)|lieutenant-general]]. In official [[Canadian French]] usage, the rank title was {{lang|fr|maréchal de l'air}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.castlearchdale.net/id37.html |title=The RCAF |website=www.castlearchdale.net |access-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603201652/http://www.castlearchdale.net/id37.html |archive-date=3 June 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Chief of the Air Staff (Canada)|Canadian Chief of the Air Staff]] ordinarily held the rank of air marshal. The following RCAF officers held the rank (dates in rank in parentheses):
Prior to the adoption of RAF-specific rank titles in 1919, it was suggested that the RAF might use the Royal Navy's officer ranks, with the word "air" inserted before the naval rank title. For example, the rank that later became air marshal would have been air vice-admiral. The Admiralty objected to any use of their rank titles, including this modified form, and so an alternative proposal was put forward: [[air officer|air-officer]] ranks would be based on the term "ardian", which was derived from a combination of the [[Goidelic languages|Gaelic]] words for "chief" (''ard'') and "bird" (''eun''), with the term "second ardian" or "wing ardian" being used specifically for the rank equivalent to a vice-admiral and lieutenant-general. However, air marshal was preferred and has been used since its adoption on 1 August 1919. [[Hugh Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard|Sir Hugh Trenchard]], the incumbent [[Chief of the Air Staff (United_Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]] when the rank was introduced, became the first air marshal on 11 August 1919.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Trenchard.htm|title=Marshal of the RAF The Viscount Trenchard of Wolfeton|website=Air of Authority &ndash; A History of RAF Organisation|access-date=November 15, 2020|date=July 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last = Probert|first = Henry|author-link = Henry Probert|title = High Commanders of the Royal Air Force|chapter = The Viscount Trenchard|year = 1991|publisher = [[Her Majesty's Stationery Office]]|location = London|isbn = 9780117726352}}</ref>


* [[Billy Bishop]] (1938 to 1944), rank retained on retirement
===RAF insignia, command flag and star plate===
* [[George Croil]] (c. 1940 to 1944), rank retained on retirement
The rank insignia consists of two narrow light blue bands (each on a slightly wider black band) over a light blue band on a broad black band. This is worn on the lower sleeves of the dress uniform or on shoulders of the flying suit or working uniform.
* [[Lloyd Samuel Breadner]] (1941 to 1945), subsequently promoted to air chief marshal
* [[Gus Edwards (RCAF officer)|Gus Edwards]] (1942 to 1944), rank retained on retirement
* [[Albert Cuffe]] (1942 to 1944), rank retained on retirement
* [[Robert Leckie (RCAF officer)|Robert Leckie]] (1944 to 1947), rank retained on retirement
* [[George Owen Johnson]] (to 1947), rank retained on retirement
* [[Wilfred Curtis]] (c. 1947 to 1953), rank retained on retirement
* [[Roy Slemon]] (c. 1953 to 1964), rank retained on retirement
* [[Frank Robert Miller]] (1955 to 1961), subsequently promoted to air chief marshal
* [[Hugh Lester Campbell|Hugh Campbell]] (1957 to 1962), rank retained on retirement
* [[Clare Annis]] (1962 to 1966), rank retained on retirement<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/CFAWC/Dedication_Ceremony_e.asp |title=Air Marshal Clare L. Annis, OBE, CD |access-date=20 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211184650/http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/CFAWC/Dedication_Ceremony_e.asp |archive-date=11 February 2013}}</ref>
* [[Clarence Dunlap]] (1962 to 1968), rank retained on retirement
* [[William Ross MacBrien]] (1958 to 1968), rank retained on retirement
* [[Edwin Reyno]] (1966 to 1968), later regraded to lieutenant-general


== India ==
The command flag for an air marshal is defined by the single broad red band running in the centre of the flag.
{{main|Air Marshal (India)}}
The rank of air marshal was the highest in the Indian Air Force (IAF), held by the [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of the Air Staff]] (CAS), from 1947 to 1966. In 1966, the rank of CAS was upgraded to [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|air chief marshal]] and ACM [[Arjan Singh]] became the first CAS to hold the [[four-star rank]].


== Namibia ==
The vehicle star plate for an air marshal depicts three white stars (air marshal is equivalent to a three-star rank) on an air force blue background.
The Namibian Air Force adopted the RAF rank system in 2010 previously having been using army ranks and insignia. However the rank of air marshal was not used until 1 April 2020 when [[Martin Pinehas]] was promoted to that rank and appointed as Chief of the [[Namibian Defence Force]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://neweralive.na/posts/geingob-appoints-pinehas-as-cdf |title=Geingob appoints Pinehas as CDF |website=New Era Live}}</ref>


== New Zealand ==
<gallery>
In New Zealand, the head of the air force holds the lower rank of air vice-marshal. However, when an air force officer holds the country's senior military appointment, [[Chief of Defence Force (New Zealand)|Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force]], he is granted the rank of air marshal. The current Chief of Defence Force is an RNZAF officer, Air Marshal Tony Davies.
File:File-UK-Air-OF8-mess-insignia.svg|An RAF air marshal's mess sleeve insignia
File:British RAF Air Officer (ceremonial shoulder board).svg|An RAF air marshal's shoulder board
File:RAF-AM-OF-8.png|An RAF air marshal's sleeve on No. 1 Service Dress Uniform
Air Marshal star plate.svg|An RAF air marshal's star plate.
</gallery>


Other officers to hold the air marshal rank in New Zealand are:
==Other air forces==
The rank of air marshal is also used in a number of the air forces in the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]], including the [[Bangladesh Air Force]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://baf.mil.bd/website/rank.php |title=BAF RANKS |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2020 |website=Bangladesh Air Force Website |publisher=BAF Communication Unit |access-date=13 December 2020}}</ref> [[Indian Air Force]],<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Officer ranks in Indian Army, Air Force and Navy |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/officer-ranks-in-indian-army-air-force-and-navy-1464351-2019-02-25 |work=[[India Today]] |location=[[New Delhi]] |date=25 February 2019 |access-date=19 December 2020}}</ref> [[Pakistan Air Force]], [[Royal Australian Air Force]] and [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]]. It is also used in the [[Nigerian Air Force]], [[Ghana Air Force]], [[Air Force of Zimbabwe]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.afz.gov.zw/?page_id=1115 |title=RANKS AND BADGES IN THE AFZ |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2020 |website=Air Force of Zimbabwe Website |publisher=Air Force of Zimbabwe |access-date=13 December 2020}}</ref> (including its predecessor, the [[Royal Rhodesian Air Force|Rhodesian Air Force]]) and the [[Royal Thai Air Force]]. In the [[Indonesian Air Force]], the equivalent rank is ''marsekal madya'' (literally "vice marshal") which is often translated as air marshal in English; similarly, the rank of فريق (''fariq'') in the [[Egyptian Air Force]] is commonly translated as "air marshal", although the Arabic-language names of officer ranks are the same across all of Egypt's military and paramilitary forces.


* Sir [[Richard Bolt (RNZAF officer)|Richard Bolt]], promoted 1976, retired 1980
The [[Brazilian Air Force]] does not use air marshal ranks as an equivalent to general ranks, rather it uses a number of ranks based on the word [[Brigadier#Officer rank in Latin America|brigadier]]. However, its highest rank is ''marechal-do-ar'', the equivalent to a [[Brazilian Army]] [[Marshal (Brazil)|marshal]]. ''Marechal-do-ar'' can be translated as ''air marshal'' or ''marshal of the air''. Similarly, the [[Royal Malaysian Air Force]]'s five-star rank of ''marshal udara'' translates as ''air marshal''.
* Sir [[Ewan Jamieson]], promoted 1983
* [[David Crooks (RNZAF officer)|David Crooks]], promoted 1986
* [[Carey Adamson]]
* Sir [[Bruce Ferguson (RNZAF officer)|Bruce Ferguson]], promoted 2001


===Hellenic Air Force===
== Pakistan ==
{{main|Air marshal (Pakistan)}}
[[Image:Hellenic Air Force OF-8.svg|thumb|right|70px|A Hellenic Air Force air marshal's rank insignia]]
The rank of air marshal ({{lang-el|Αντιπτέραρχος|Antipterarchos}}) is the highest regular rank of the [[Hellenic Air Force]], being typically held by at least the Chief of the [[Hellenic Air Force General Staff]] (HAFGS) and the Chief of the [[Hellenic Tactical Air Force Command]]. The higher rank of air chief marshal is given only to Air Force officers appointed as Chiefs of the [[Hellenic National Defense General Staff]], as well as to a retiring Chief of the HAFGS. The rank insignia of a Greek air marshal is similar to the RAF insignia of the same rank.


== United Kingdom ==
===Indian Air Force===
{{main|Air Marshal (India)}}
{{see also|RAF officer ranks}}
{{Infobox military rank
[[File:India-AirForce-OF-8-collected.svg|thumb|152x152px|right|An IAF Air Marshal's rank insignia]]
| name = Air Marshal
The rank of Air Marshal was the highest in the Indian Air Force (IAF), held by the [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of the Air Staff]] (CAS), from 1947 to 1966. In 1966, the rank of CAS was upgraded to [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] and ACM [[Arjan Singh]] became the first CAS to hold the [[Four-star rank]].
| native_name =
| image = UK-Air-OF8-Flag.svg
| image_size = 100px
| alt =
| caption = Command flag
| image2 = United Kingdom-Air force-OF-8-collected.svg
| image_size2 = 100px
| alt2 =
| caption2 = Shoulder and sleeve insignia
| image3 = Air Marshal star plate.svg
| image_size3 = 75px
| alt3 =
| caption3 = Star plate
| country = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| service branch = {{air force|United Kingdom}}
| abbreviation = Air Mshl / AM
| rank group =
| rank = [[three-star rank|three-stars]]
| NATO rank = OF-8
| Non-NATO rank =
| pay grade =
| formation = {{start date|1919|08|01|df=y}}
| abolished =
| higher rank = [[Air chief marshal]]
| lower rank = [[Air vice-marshal]]
| equivalents = {{unbulleted list|{{nowrap|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant-general]] ([[British Army|Army]]; [[Royal Marines|Marines]])}}|[[Vice-admiral (Royal Navy)|Vice-admiral]] ([[Royal Navy|Navy]])}}
| history =
}}


===Namibian Air Force===
=== Origins ===
Prior to the adoption of RAF-specific rank titles in 1919, it was suggested that the RAF might use the Royal Navy's officer ranks, with the word "air" inserted before the naval rank title. For example, the rank that later became air marshal would have been air vice-admiral. The Admiralty objected to any use of their rank titles, including this modified form, and so an alternative proposal was put forward: [[air officer|air-officer]] ranks would be based on the term "ardian", which was derived from a combination of the [[Goidelic languages|Gaelic]] words for "chief" ({{lang|gd|ard}}) and "bird" ({{lang|gd|eun}}), with the term "second ardian" or "wing ardian" being used specifically for the rank equivalent to a vice-admiral and lieutenant-general. However, air marshal was preferred and has been used since its adoption in August 1919.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hobart |first=Malcolm C |date=2000 |title=Badges and Uniforms of the Royal Air Force |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7ATMDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT29 |publisher=Leo Cooper |page=26 |isbn=0-85052-739-2 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> [[Hugh Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard|Sir Hugh Trenchard]], the incumbent [[Chief of the Air Staff (United_Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]] when the rank was introduced, became the first air marshal on 11 August 1919.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Trenchard.htm |title=Marshal of the RAF The Viscount Trenchard of Wolfeton |website=Air of Authority &ndash; A History of RAF Organisation |access-date=November 15, 2020 |date=July 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Probert |first=Henry |author-link=Henry Probert |title=High Commanders of the Royal Air Force |chapter=The Viscount Trenchard |year=1991 |publisher=[[Her Majesty's Stationery Office]] |location=London |isbn=9780117726352}}</ref>
[[File:15-Namibia Air Force-AIRMSHL.svg|alt=|thumb|152x152px| A Namibian Air Force air marshal rank insignia]]


=== RAF insignia, command flag and star plate ===
The Namibian Air Force adopted the RAF rank system in 2010 previously having been using Army ranks and insignia. However the rank of Air Marshal was not used until 01 April 2020 when [[Martin Pinehas]] was promoted to that rank and appointed as Chief of the [[Namibian Defence Force]].<ref>https://neweralive.na/posts/geingob-appoints-pinehas-as-cdf</ref>
The rank insignia consists of two narrow light blue bands (each on a slightly wider black band) over a light blue band on a broad black band. This is worn on the lower sleeves of the dress uniform or on shoulders of the flying suit or working uniform.


The command flag for an air marshal is defined by the single broad red band running in the centre of the flag.<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Kingdom: Royal Air Force rank flags |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/gb-rafrk.html |access-date=2024-08-17 |website=www.crwflags.com}}</ref>
===Royal Australian Air Force===
{{main|Air marshal (Australia)}}
[[File:Australia RAAF OF-8.svg|alt=|thumb|152x152px|An [[Royal Australian Air Force|RAAF]] [[Air marshal (Australia)|air marshal]]'s rank insignia.]]
The [[Australian Air Corps]] adopted the RAF rank system on 9 November 1920<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1070474--1-.pdf |title=Chapter 1: Formation of the Royal Australian Air Force |author=Gillison, Douglas Napier |work=Royal Australian Air Force, 1939–1942 |volume=Vol. 1 |edition=1st |year=1962 |format=digitised book |publisher=[[Australian War Memorial]] |pages=5–6}}</ref> and this usage was continued by its successor, the [[Royal Australian Air Force]]. However, the rank of air marshal was not used by the Australian Armed Forces until 1940 when [[Richard Williams (RAAF officer)|Richard Williams]], an RAAF officer, was promoted.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1070724--1-.pdf |title=Chapter 5: The New Command |author=Gillison, Douglas Napier |work=Royal Australian Air Force, 1939–1942 |volume=Vol. 1 |edition=1st |year=1962 |format=digitised book |publisher=[[Australian War Memorial]] |pages=92–93}}</ref>


The vehicle star plate for an air marshal depicts three white stars (air marshal is equivalent to a three-star rank) on an air force blue background.
In Australia, there are four appointments available for air marshals: the [[Chief of Air Force (Australia)|Chief of Air Force]] and, at times when they are occupied by an air force officer, the [[Vice Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)|Vice Chief of Defence Force]], the [[Chief of Joint Operations (Australia)|Chief of Joint Operations]], and the [[Chief of Capability Development Group]].
{{see also|List of Royal Australian Air Force air marshals}}


==Other language variants==
===Royal New Zealand Air Force===
In the [[Brazilian Air Force]], the highest rank is {{lang|pt-BR|[[Marshal (Brazil)|Marechal-do-ar]]}}, a five-star officer, which can be translated as "air marshal" or "marshal of the air". The rank is equivalent to {{lang|pt-BR|marshal}} in the [[Brazilian Army]]<ref name="Brazil_AirForcee">{{cite web |title=Postos e Graduações |trans-title=Ranks and Graduations |url=https://www.fab.mil.br/postosegraduacoes |website=fab.mil.br |publisher=Brazilian Air Force |access-date=7 May 2021 |language=pt}}</ref> or [[marshal of the air force]] elsewhere.
[[File:NZ-Air-OF8.svg|thumb|60px|An [[RNZAF]] air marshal's rank insignia,]]
In New Zealand, the head of the air force holds the lower rank of air vice-marshal. However, when an air force officer holds the country's senior military appointment, [[Chief of Defence Force (New Zealand)|Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force]], he is granted the rank of air marshal. The current Chief of Defence Force is an RNZAF officer, Air Marshal [[Kevin Short (RNZAF officer)|Kevin Short]].


In 1927, the rank of {{lang|da|Luftmarsk}} ({{translation|air marshal}}) was proposed by [[Christian Førslev]] as a rank for the potential [[Chief of the Royal Danish Air Force]]. The rank would have been equivalent to a [[major general]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kongstad |first1=Jan O. |title=Den militære flyvnings udvikling i Danmark 1910-1932 |language=da |trans-title=The development of military aviation in Denmark 1910-1932 |date=2008 |isbn=978-87-7674-175-4 |page=83}}</ref>
Other officers to hold Air Marshal rank in New Zealand are:

*Sir [[Richard Bolt (RNZAF officer)|Richard Bolt]], promoted 1976, retired 1980
*Sir [[Ewan Jamieson]], promoted 1983
*[[David Crooks (RNZAF officer)|David Crooks]], promoted 1986
*[[Carey Adamson]]
*Sir [[Bruce Ferguson (RNZAF officer)|Bruce Ferguson]], promoted 2001

===Royal Canadian Air Force===
The [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] (RCAF) used the rank until the 1968 unification of the [[Canadian Forces]], when army-type rank titles were adopted and an air marshal became a [[Lieutenant-General (Canada)|lieutenant-general]]. In official French Canadian usage, the rank title was ''maréchal de l'air''. The [[Chief of the Air Staff (Canada)|Canadian Chief of the Air Staff]] ordinarily held the rank of air marshal. The following RCAF officers held the rank (dates in rank in parentheses):

*[[Billy Bishop]] (1938 to 1944), rank retained on retirement
*[[George Croil]] (c. 1940 to 1944), rank retained on retirement
*[[Lloyd Samuel Breadner]] (1941 to 1945), subsequently promoted to air chief marshal
*[[Gus Edwards (RCAF officer)|Gus Edwards]] (1942 to 1944), rank retained on retirement
*[[Albert Cuffe]] (1942 to 1944), rank retained on retirement
*[[Robert Leckie (RCAF officer)|Robert Leckie]] (1944 to 1947), rank retained on retirement
*[[George Owen Johnson]] (to 1947), rank retained on retirement
*[[Wilfred Curtis]] (c. 1947 to 1953), rank retained on retirement
*[[Roy Slemon]] (c. 1953 to 1964), rank retained on retirement
*[[Frank Robert Miller]] (1955 to 1961), subsequently promoted to air chief marshal
*[[Hugh Lester Campbell|Hugh Campbell]] (1957 to 1962), rank retained on retirement
*[[Clare Annis]] (1962 to 1966), rank retained on retirement<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/CFAWC/Dedication_Ceremony_e.asp |title=Archived copy |access-date=20 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211184650/http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/CFAWC/Dedication_Ceremony_e.asp |archive-date=11 February 2013 }}</ref>
*[[Clarence Dunlap]] (1962 to 1968), rank retained on retirement
*[[William Ross MacBrien]] (1958 to 1968), rank retained on retirement
*[[Edwin Reyno]] (1966 to 1968), later regraded to lieutenant-general

===Pakistan Air Force===
{{main|Air marshal (Pakistan)}}


==Gallery==
== Gallery ==
<!-- In alphabetic order of country name please -->
<gallery>
<gallery class="center">
File:RTAF OF-8 (Air Marshal).svg|A [[Royal Thai Air Force]] air marshal's rank insignia
File:British RAF OF-8.svg|([[Royal Australian Air Force]])<ref name="Australia">{{cite web |title=Badges of rank |url=https://www.defence.gov.au/images/Badges_of_rank.pdf |website=defence.gov.au |publisher=[[Department of Defence (Australia)]] |access-date=31 May 2021}}</ref>
Image:Air Marshal of IAF.png|An [[Indian Air Force]] air marshal's shoulder patch
File:British RAF OF-8.svg|([[Bangladesh Air Force]])<ref>{{cite web |title=OFFICER'S RANKS |url=http://www.joinbangladeshairforce.mil.bd/index.php/main_controll/ranks_structure_baf?1=1&pagemenu=ranks_structure_baf&submenu=1&leafsub=0 |website=joinbangladeshairforce.mil.bd |access-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219212643/http://www.joinbangladeshairforce.mil.bd/index.php/main_controll/ranks_structure_baf?1=1&pagemenu=ranks_structure_baf&submenu=1&leafsub=0 |archive-date=19 February 2020}}</ref>
File:AM Pakistan Air Force.png|A [[Pakistan Air Force|PAF]] air marshal's shoulder patch.
File:Brazilian Air Force marshal of the air rank insignia.svg|{{lang|pt-BR|Marechal-do-ar}}<br />([[Brazilian Air Force]])<ref name="Brazil_AirForcee" />
File:15.Ghana Air Force-LG.svg|([[Ghana Air Force]])<ref name="Ghana_AirForce">{{cite web |title=Rank Structure |url=http://gafonline.mil.gh/airforce/index.php/subhome/rank-structure |website=gafonline.mil.gh |publisher=Ghana Air Force |access-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121080703/http://gafonline.mil.gh/airforce/index.php/subhome/rank-structure |archive-date=21 January 2018 |date=2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
File:British RAF OF-8.svg|([[Indian Air Force]])<ref>{{cite web |title=For Officers |url=http://www.careerairforce.nic.in/life_airforce/lifeair_cargraph_officers.html |website=careerairforce.nic.in |publisher=Indian Air Force |access-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225210317/http://www.careerairforce.nic.in/life_airforce/lifeair_cargraph_officers.html |archive-date=25 February 2012}}</ref>
File:15-Namibia Air Force-AIRMSHL.svg|([[Namibian Air Force]])<ref name="Namibia">{{cite magazine |title=Government Notice |magazine=Government Gazette of the Republic of Namibia |date=20 August 2010 |volume=4547 |pages=99–102 |url=http://www.lac.org.na/laws/2010/4547.pdf |access-date=20 December 2021}}</ref>
File:Nigeria-AirForce-OF-8.svg|([[Nigerian Air Force]])<ref name="Nigeria">{{cite book |last1=Smaldone |first1=Joseph P. |editor1-last=Metz |editor1-first=Helen Chapin |editor-link=Helen Chapin Metz |title=Nigeria: a country study |series=Area Handbook |date=1992 |publisher=Library of Congress |location=Washington, D.C. |lccn=92009026 |pages=296–297 |edition=5th |url=https://www.loc.gov/resource/frdcstdy.nigeriacountryst00metz_0/?sp=340 |access-date=21 October 2021 |chapter=National Security}}</ref>
File:Pak-air-force-OF-8.svg|([[Pakistan Air Force]])
File:British RAF OF-8.svg|([[Sri Lanka Air Force]])<ref>{{cite web |title=Commissioned Officers |url=http://www.airforce.lk/ranks.php |website=airforce.lk |publisher=Sri Lanka Air Force |access-date=24 September 2021}}</ref><br />
File:British RAF OF-8.svg|([[Royal Air Force]])<ref name="UK_AirForce">{{cite web |title=RAF Ranks |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/raf-ranks/ |website=raf.mod.uk/ |publisher=[[Royal Air Force]] |access-date=21 September 2021}}</ref>
File:Canadian_RCAF_Mess_Dress_Of-08.png|([[Air Force of Zimbabwe]])<ref name="Zimbabwe_AirForce">{{cite web |title=Ranks and Badges in the AFZ |url=http://www.afz.gov.zw/?page_id=1115 |website=afz.gov.zw |publisher=[[Air Force of Zimbabwe]] |access-date=29 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609134525/http://www.afz.gov.zw/?page_id=1115 |archive-date=9 June 2022}}</ref>
</gallery>
</gallery>


==See also==
== See also ==
{{stack|{{Portal|United Kingdom|War|Aviation}}}}
{{stack|{{Portal|United Kingdom|Aviation}}}}
* [[Air force officer rank insignia]]
* [[Air force officer rank insignia]]
* [[British and U.S. military ranks compared]]
* [[British and U.S. military ranks compared]]
Line 132: Line 129:
* [[Ranks of the RAAF]]
* [[Ranks of the RAAF]]


==References==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


Line 138: Line 135:
{{wiktionary|Air Marshal}}
{{wiktionary|Air Marshal}}
{{commons category|Air marshals}}
{{commons category|Air marshals}}
*[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/air%20marshal Air Marshal] – ''[[Merriam-Webster]]''


{{UK officer ranks}}
{{UK officer ranks}}

Revision as of 13:00, 17 August 2024

For law enforcement officers who travel covertly on commercial airline flights, see Sky marshal and Federal Air Marshal Service. For the form of airport signalling, see Aircraft marshalling.

Comparative military ranks
Armies,
air forces
(non-Commonwealth)		 Navies,
coast guards		 Air forces
(Commonwealth system)
Flag commissioned officers
Field marshal or Marshal Admiral of the fleet Marshal of the air force
General or
colonel general or
army general		 Admiral Air chief marshal
Lieutenant general or
army corps general		 Vice admiral Air marshal
Major general or
divisional general		 Rear admiral or
Counter admiral		 Air vice-marshal
Brigadier or
brigadier general		 Commodore or
flotilla admiral		 Air commodore
Senior commissioned officers
Colonel (Ship-of-the-line)
Captain		 Group captain
Lieutenant colonel Frigate captain or
Commander		 Wing commander
Major or
commandant		 Corvette captain or Lieutenant
commander		 Squadron leader
Junior commissioned officers
Captain Lieutenant Flight lieutenant
First lieutenant or
lieutenant		 Lieutenant
junior grade or
sub-lieutenant		 Flying officer
Second lieutenant or
junior lieutenant		 Ensign or
midshipman		 Pilot officer
Officer cadet Officer cadet Flight cadet
Non-commissioned officers
Warrant officer or
sergeant major		 Warrant officer or
chief petty officer		 Warrant officer
Sergeant Petty officer Sergeant
Enlisted ranks
Corporal or
bombardier		 Leading seaman Corporal
Lance corporal or
Lance bombardier or
Specialist		 Able seaman Leading aircraftman or
Air specialist
Private or
gunner or
trooper or
sapper		 Seaman Aircraftman or
airman or
aviator

Air marshal (Air Mshl or AM) is an air-officer rank used by some air forces, with origins from the Royal Air Force.[1] The rank is used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence, including many Commonwealth nations. The rank is usually equivalent to a vice admiral or a lieutenant general.

Air marshal is immediately senior to the rank of air vice-marshal and immediately subordinate to the rank of air chief marshal. Officers in the rank of air marshal typically hold very senior appointments such as commander-in-chief of an air force or a large air force formation. Officers in the ranks of air chief marshal and air vice-marshal are also referred to generically as air marshals.[2] Occasionally, air force officers of marshal rank are considered to be air marshals.

Australia

Main article: Air marshal (Australia)
See also: List of Royal Australian Air Force air marshals

The Australian Air Corps adopted the RAF rank system on 9 November 1920[3] and this usage was continued by its successor, the Royal Australian Air Force. However, the rank of air marshal was not used by the Australian Armed Forces until 1940 when Richard Williams, an RAAF officer, was promoted.[4]

In Australia, there are four appointments available for air marshals: the Chief of Air Force and, at times when they are occupied by an air force officer, the Vice Chief of Defence Force, the Chief of Joint Operations, and the Chief of Capability Development Group.

Canada

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) used the rank until the 1968 unification of the Canadian Forces, when army-type rank titles were adopted and an air marshal became a lieutenant-general. In official Canadian French usage, the rank title was maréchal de l'air.[5] The Canadian Chief of the Air Staff ordinarily held the rank of air marshal. The following RCAF officers held the rank (dates in rank in parentheses):

India

Main article: Air Marshal (India)

The rank of air marshal was the highest in the Indian Air Force (IAF), held by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), from 1947 to 1966. In 1966, the rank of CAS was upgraded to air chief marshal and ACM Arjan Singh became the first CAS to hold the four-star rank.

Namibia

The Namibian Air Force adopted the RAF rank system in 2010 previously having been using army ranks and insignia. However the rank of air marshal was not used until 1 April 2020 when Martin Pinehas was promoted to that rank and appointed as Chief of the Namibian Defence Force.[7]

New Zealand

In New Zealand, the head of the air force holds the lower rank of air vice-marshal. However, when an air force officer holds the country's senior military appointment, Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force, he is granted the rank of air marshal. The current Chief of Defence Force is an RNZAF officer, Air Marshal Tony Davies.

Other officers to hold the air marshal rank in New Zealand are:

Pakistan

Main article: Air marshal (Pakistan)

United Kingdom

See also: RAF officer ranks
Air Marshal
Command flag
Shoulder and sleeve insignia
Star plate
Country United Kingdom
Service branch Royal Air Force
AbbreviationAir Mshl / AM
Rankthree-stars
NATO rank codeOF-8
Formation1 August 1919 (1919-08-01)
Next higher rankAir chief marshal
Next lower rankAir vice-marshal
Equivalent ranks

Origins

Prior to the adoption of RAF-specific rank titles in 1919, it was suggested that the RAF might use the Royal Navy's officer ranks, with the word "air" inserted before the naval rank title. For example, the rank that later became air marshal would have been air vice-admiral. The Admiralty objected to any use of their rank titles, including this modified form, and so an alternative proposal was put forward: air-officer ranks would be based on the term "ardian", which was derived from a combination of the Gaelic words for "chief" (ard) and "bird" (eun), with the term "second ardian" or "wing ardian" being used specifically for the rank equivalent to a vice-admiral and lieutenant-general. However, air marshal was preferred and has been used since its adoption in August 1919.[8] Sir Hugh Trenchard, the incumbent Chief of the Air Staff when the rank was introduced, became the first air marshal on 11 August 1919.[9][10]

RAF insignia, command flag and star plate

The rank insignia consists of two narrow light blue bands (each on a slightly wider black band) over a light blue band on a broad black band. This is worn on the lower sleeves of the dress uniform or on shoulders of the flying suit or working uniform.

The command flag for an air marshal is defined by the single broad red band running in the centre of the flag.[11]

The vehicle star plate for an air marshal depicts three white stars (air marshal is equivalent to a three-star rank) on an air force blue background.

Other language variants

In the Brazilian Air Force, the highest rank is Marechal-do-ar, a five-star officer, which can be translated as "air marshal" or "marshal of the air". The rank is equivalent to marshal in the Brazilian Army[12] or marshal of the air force elsewhere.

In 1927, the rank of Luftmarsk (transl. air marshal) was proposed by Christian Førslev as a rank for the potential Chief of the Royal Danish Air Force. The rank would have been equivalent to a major general.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Ranks and Badges of the Royal Air Force". Royal Air Force. 2007. Archived from the original on 13 November 2007.
  2. ^ "Forms of Address: Air Chief Marshal, Air Marshal and Air Vice-Marshal". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  3. ^ Gillison, Douglas Napier (1962). "Chapter 1: Formation of the Royal Australian Air Force" (digitised book). Royal Australian Air Force, 1939–1942 (1st ed.). Australian War Memorial. pp. 5–6.
  4. ^ Gillison, Douglas Napier (1962). "Chapter 5: The New Command" (digitised book). Royal Australian Air Force, 1939–1942 (1st ed.). Australian War Memorial. pp. 92–93.
  5. ^ "The RCAF". www.castlearchdale.net. Archived from the original on 3 June 2009. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Air Marshal Clare L. Annis, OBE, CD". Archived from the original on 11 February 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  7. ^ "Geingob appoints Pinehas as CDF". New Era Live.
  8. ^ Hobart, Malcolm C (2000). Badges and Uniforms of the Royal Air Force. Leo Cooper. p. 26. ISBN 0-85052-739-2 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ "Marshal of the RAF The Viscount Trenchard of Wolfeton". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  10. ^ Probert, Henry (1991). "The Viscount Trenchard". High Commanders of the Royal Air Force. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office. ISBN 9780117726352.
  11. ^ "United Kingdom: Royal Air Force rank flags". www.crwflags.com. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Postos e Graduações" [Ranks and Graduations]. fab.mil.br (in Portuguese). Brazilian Air Force. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  13. ^ Kongstad, Jan O. (2008). Den militære flyvnings udvikling i Danmark 1910-1932 [The development of military aviation in Denmark 1910-1932] (in Danish). p. 83. ISBN 978-87-7674-175-4.
  14. ^ "Badges of rank" (PDF). defence.gov.au. Department of Defence (Australia). Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  15. ^ "OFFICER'S RANKS". joinbangladeshairforce.mil.bd. Archived from the original on 19 February 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  16. ^ "Rank Structure". gafonline.mil.gh. Ghana Air Force. 2018. Archived from the original on 21 January 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  17. ^ "For Officers". careerairforce.nic.in. Indian Air Force. Archived from the original on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  18. ^ "Government Notice" (PDF). Government Gazette of the Republic of Namibia. Vol. 4547. 20 August 2010. pp. 99–102. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  19. ^ Smaldone, Joseph P. (1992). "National Security". In Metz, Helen Chapin (ed.). Nigeria: a country study. Area Handbook (5th ed.). Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. pp. 296–297. LCCN 92009026. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  20. ^ "Commissioned Officers". airforce.lk. Sri Lanka Air Force. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  21. ^ "RAF Ranks". raf.mod.uk/. Royal Air Force. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  22. ^ "Ranks and Badges in the AFZ". afz.gov.zw. Air Force of Zimbabwe. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
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